as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the playful competition over who would get the new office turned into a real dogfight
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dogfight
While there is something to be said about sticking with the hot hand, the Niners are in a dogfight to make the playoffs.
—
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Despite looking like a fighter pilot who could win a game of dogfight football, Colin isn’t framed as a temptation for Marissa, and a lack of sexy secrets proves to be a recurring blind spot for the series, even if those two have plenty of other skeletons in their massive, boring closets.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
If the same thing happens against West Virginia, the Horned Frogs will be in a dogfight in the second half.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
By the end of the first half, Boise State had outgained New Mexico 187 yards to 62 and allowed only four first downs, but was in a dogfight.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Despite looking like a fighter pilot who could win a game of dogfight football, Colin isn’t framed as a temptation for Marissa, and a lack of sexy secrets proves to be a recurring blind spot for the series, even if those two have plenty of other skeletons in their massive, boring closets.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
If the same thing happens against West Virginia, the Horned Frogs will be in a dogfight in the second half.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2025
By the end of the first half, Boise State had outgained New Mexico 187 yards to 62 and allowed only four first downs, but was in a dogfight.
—Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dogfight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dogfight
Noun
-
While Finland and Sweden may not have enjoyed quite the same level of Olympic success in women’s hockey as the US and Canada, the rivalry between the two Nordic countries is nonetheless a fiery one.—
Hannah Ryan,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The epic race between Stolz and de Boo is the latest in their budding rivalry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Britain had split the Chagos Islands from Mauritius before that colony gained independence, something that has been a source of diplomatic friction as well as multiple legal battles with locals who were evicted.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Arsenal is challenging for the titl while Tottenham — under new coach Igor Tudor — is in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In a duel of the top two teams in the West Coast Conference standings, Gonzaga (25-2, 13-1 WCC) spoiled the Broncos’ best start to a season since 1969-70.—
Jeff Faraudo,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
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Edgecombe hit three 3-pointers during his scoring barrage in the first semifinal to win his duel with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, who scored just four points.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For the first time in four Winter Games, a Russian woman did not win gold in the singles competition.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The global theatrical business has recovered faster, post-COVID, than the domestic market, and in most major international territories, there is still healthy competition, with multiple large and mid-sized buyers able to bid on buzz titles.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Big Sean has never shied away from sharing his mental health struggles.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Offense by committee with stable defense Without Curry and Butler, the Warriors’ offensive struggles were inevitable.—
Jannelle Moore,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The film delves into the fragility of the human mind, the dangers of AI warfare, and the indomitable spirit required to confront terror in an increasingly digital world.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is information warfare on the cheap.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The term of art for this sort of battlefield confusion is fog of war.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
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At least 77 people were killed and dozens injured in various attacks, mostly by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in densely populated areas, according to Sudan Doctors Network, a group that tracks violence through the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Many local police departments began to rethink their approach to the weapons following violent confrontations with protesters over the 2020 police killing of George Floyd.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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What was once a forum for engaged — sometimes heated — debate has, critics argue, become a stage for viral confrontation.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dogfight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dogfight. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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